When It Rains, It Firs, Part 2: The Trouble With Saturated Ground

Dealing with unpredictable weather is something that inevitably comes with living in Georgia. During certain seasons it’s not unusual for Georgians to experience everything from sun and hail to snow and rain within the span of 24 hours. Recently, this unpredictable weather has struck in the form of torrential downpours, causing flooding, roadway delays, and saturated ground, which can mean disaster for trees (and homeowners) everywhere.

You may be thinking to yourself, “I thought rain was good for trees!” Normally, you’d be right, but heavy rain causes soil to become saturated with water to the point where there’s no room for oxygen. When this happens, a tree’s roots can die, leaving the remaining living roots to grow close to the surface.

This process causes a lot of trees to become unstable, some more than others. Trees with wider, stronger, and deeper roots prove to be stronger against flooding and wind, while trees with narrow, weaker roots in shallow ground are prime candidates for toppling.

Trees in saturated ground are also more vulnerable to windthrow. During storms, wind pushes against trees’ trunks and canopies, which applies force to their roots and causes them to tip over. It’s worth noting that this force is amplified for taller trees since they often have larger trunks and canopies. As you can imagine, the damage from these green giants falling can be catastrophic.

Additionally, decaying trees in saturated ground can prove even more dangerous due to their already weakened root structures. Make sure to watch out for fungal growth near or on the trunk, raised roots, cracks, or dead branches.

The best way to prepare for a timbering tree and avoid damage to your house, vehicle, and most importantly, yourself, is to be proactive and schedule an appointment with the experts at Premier Tree Solutions. Click here to contact us today.

https://www.chopmytree.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/wet-ground.jpg6231365choptreeadminhttps://www.chopmytree.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-3.pngchoptreeadmin2015-11-25 15:09:272017-09-14 11:18:54When It Rains, It Firs, Part 2: The Trouble With Saturated Ground

Whether you’re an avid gardener or just a beginner, there will likely come a time when you want to transplant a tree or shrub in your yard. Doing so fills many people with doubt, however, especially since most of us have experienced the unsuccessful transplant: a withered tree or shrub that was formerly thriving.
If you don’t care to repeat this disappointing experience, stick to these rules.

Go By Climate

If you live in a warm area that doesn’t see prolonged freezes, you can move trees at any time of year. The University of Florida recommends making sure you live USDA plant hardiness zones 8 and above for best results.

For the Northern Georgia Region, where cold weather and ground freezes do set in during the winter, stick to moving trees when they’re dormant. The University of Iowa Extension points out that ideal times differ for hardwoods and conifers. While deciduous trees do best if moved in early spring before they leaf out, conifers benefit from a late summer or early fall move.

Remember the Root Ball

Many people are confused about whether or not trees need to be moved with their root balls intact. Root balls are the mass formed by the roots of a plant and the soil surrounding them. According to Lowe’s, the answer is that for trees smaller than an inch in diameter, you don’t need to keep a ball of soil around the roots. Instead they can be moved with roots bare. For trees over an inch in diameter, however, you need to keep soil in place.

If you’re transplanting shrubs as well, note that you can move shrubs up to three feet tall without a root ball. After they pass that height, keep a root ball in place to maximize transplant success.

Give Premier Tree Solutions a Call

Premier Tree Solutions offers help with tree removal, trimming and pruning, stump grinding, storm cleanup and debris removal, branch clearing and Bobcat work. We are located in Atlanta, Georgia, and proud to help customers all over the area with their tree and shrub needs.

Contact Premier Tree Solutions for answers to any of your arboreal problems by clicking here.

https://www.chopmytree.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/trees-4.jpg6231365choptreeadminhttps://www.chopmytree.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-3.pngchoptreeadmin2015-11-25 14:23:332017-09-14 11:13:35When It’s Time to Leaf: Knowing When and When Not to Transplant